A Red Menu Escapade

As our kids grow up, we tend to see them less and less. They get busy with friends, go off to school, and begin living their own lives. So, when the opportunity arises to spend some quality time together, I want to make the most of it and make it memorable.

I am a stepmom to two, amazing teenagers (who came from two, amazing parents). And although there is a whole lot of love to go around, the one-on-one time can be tough to find.

Last Saturday afternoon, while Ella’s dad was out golfing, I wanted to do something a little different with my stepdaughter. We both love to eat and with the United Way Red Menu Campaign recently launching, I thought it would be fun to go to a local restaurant food tour to try out the items on the list.

Not only would we get to spend some quality time out of the house, but also indulge in some delicious food – all while giving back to the community.

Quality Time for a Great Cause!

We started our restaurant food tour at Moxies, where we ordered their delicious calamari as an appetizer. For lunch, we made our way to Surekha’s on the Snye. Ella ordered the Mac and Cheese, which was a nice change from the KD we usually feed her. LOL!

We knew we had to save room for dessert. Because let’s face it, who can say “no” to a Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding from Earls?

After dessert, we were extremely full, but we wanted a snack for later. So, our final stop was at Chocolates and Candlelight to pick up some salted caramel sauce. We used it to drizzle over more cake and ice cream.

The best part of the day was not only giving back to the community, but hearing Ella say how much fun she had doing it. Being able to help make a difference with your loved ones by your side just makes it that much more special.

The 2018 United Way Red Menu Campaign launched on September 5, as a local initiative to get restaurants and businesses involved.

From now until the end of October, the participating business owners have three to five options available on their Red Menu to choose from. A portion of the Red Menu sales will be donated to the United Way.

This year there are 11 participating locations, including; Boston Pizza, Earls, Moxies, Wood Buffalo Brewing Co., Surekha’s on the Snye, The Best Western Plus, The Quality Inn, The Royal Canadian Legion, Prime Test Kitchen, STACS Fine Food, and Chocolates and Candlelight.

I encourage everyone out there to visit these amazing places and to order from the Red Menu. It will help make a difference in our community. Learn more about United Way of Fort McMurray at www.fmunitedway.com/about-us

The Red Menu Campaign 2018 – It’s Delicious!

Liz Whitcomb, Executive Director of Operations at Boston Pizza Fort McMurray

About the author

Liz Whitcomb

Executive Director of Operations at Boston Pizza - Fort McMurray | whitcombl@bostonpizza.com | Website

Growing up in Saint John, New Brunswick, Liz Whitcomb moved to Fort McMurray when she was 19 years old. She only intended on staying for the summer.

Thirteen years later, she's thriving in her career as the marketing and communications manager for the local Boston Pizza franchise. It's the same place where she met her husband five years ago, in which they married last September.

Today, she loves family life and being a stepmom to two, awesome teenagers; Ethan, 18, and Ella, 15.